Professor’s Work In Youth Mental Health Recognized With National Honor

Patrick McGorry, a leading international researcher, clinician and advocate for the youth mental health reform agenda, is the 2010 Australian of the Year.

Patrick McGorry, 2010 Australian of the Year and University of Melbourne professor. Photo, Australian Of The Year.

McGorry, a professor of youth mental health at the University of Melbourne, is executive director of Orygen Youth Health (OYH), a world-renowned mental health organization for young people that has put Australia at the forefront of innovation in the prevention and treatment of mental illness.

With an emphasis on early intervention and a commitment to educating the community to the early signs of mental illness, Professor McGorry’s extraordinary 27-year contribution has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of young people the world over, according to a University of Melbourne news article.

“Pat McGorry has been a passionate advocate for youth mental health issues for almost three decades,” said John Dewar, the university’s acting deputy vice-chancellor. “He has transformed the lives of many young people with early psychosis and has helped to create much-needed awareness of these issues in our community.”

Professor McGorry is also a director of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.